What is a positive mindset?
A positive mindset means you tend to focus on the bright side, expect the best outcome for you and others, and approach difficulties as a positive challenge.
However, in today’s challenging world, it is becoming harder to keep a positive mindset. This blog shares some tips to help you when you’re caught in a negative mindset and what you can do to change it.
How do you know if you’re experiencing a negative mindset?
Some common examples that indicate a negative mindset are:
- You wake up each morning, wondering what’s going to go wrong today
- You feel low in your mood and energy
- You’re just waiting for the next thing to go wrong
- You feel irritable and constantly criticise yourself or others
- You imagine the ‘worst case’ scenario on a regular basis
12 tips to help create a positive mindset
Here are some ways you can increase your self-awareness, transform your way of thinking and develop a more positive mindset.
1. Be conscious of your thoughts
As part of our survival instinct, our ancient brains are pre-wired for negativity. So, it is important to be conscious of your thoughts and to take time to ensure, they are positive.
2. Acknowledge the feeling
Constantly thinking in a negative way causes your mood to drop and your energy to become depleted. If you notice these symptoms, stop and consider what it is that you are thinking about? Is there something more positive that you can focus on instead?
3. Check your perspective
When we are caught in a negative mindset, we create a perception that everything is as we see it. To help shift your thinking, take a step back and see how others might view the same situation. Is there a different approach you could take?
4. Listen to your self-talk
How positive is your internal dialogue? Being aware of the words that we say to ourselves can help to identify what we need to change. Instead of, “I’m useless at this”, try “I’m not quite there yet”. Using the word ‘yet’ gives you more optimism.
5. Practice mindfulness
Using guided meditation can help to bring about a positive mindset. Imagining scenarios that emulate positive emotions and feelings can help to shift your thinking. You might like to try the meditation apps Calm or Headspace as a first step.
6. Repeat Affirmations
Affirmations are statements of positive intent. Repeating them on a regular basis helps to form new ways of positive thinking. Try one of the following affirmations:
Focussing on the positive is easy for me
I am filled with positive thinking
I welcome positivity into my life
7. Know your values
Values reflect what is important to us or what we feel is missing from our lives. Fulfilling your values enables you to create a sense of wellbeing, positivity, and happiness.
8. Say no to social media
Research shows that spending a disproportionate amount of time on social media is damaging to our mental wellbeing. Being aware of the information you are absorbing is key to keeping a positive mindset. Start by becoming more conscious of the topics you are engaging in. Do they actively encourage a positive outlook? Are they promoting positive role models?
9. Be active
Exercise is a positive way to improve your overall wellbeing. In the context of positive thinking, there are two key benefits. Firstly, the brain chemicals (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) that are released positively impact your mood and therefore your thinking. Secondly, when we exercise, we focus on our bodies which gets us ‘out of our heads’, thus reducing the propensity towards negative thinking.
10. Immerse yourself in nature
Time spent in the outdoors is a great way to rebalance negative thinking. Being absorbed by your surroundings and the beauty of the countryside helps to engage your thinking in a more positive way. As little as a 10-minute break outside can have a positive effect over a sustained period.
11. Seek out positive people
We are all influenced by the people we spend the most time with. Surrounding yourself with people who think and talk in a positive way, will enhance your own experiences, and help to improve how you think and feel about yourself.
12. Practice gratitude
Reminding yourself that there are good things happening around you (no matter how small) will help to build a positive mindset. A great way to capture your positive experiences is in a Gratitude journal. Take time each day to list 5 things you are grateful for.
Summary
We can’t think positively all the time, life does have its challenges. Working on your self-awareness and incorporating some of the tips in this blog, means you will create greater positivity, happiness, and fulfilment in your life.
If you have any questions or would like to see how life coaching can help you transform your thinking, please feel free to contact me here or book your FREE taster session.